You probably started the home buying process in one of two ways: you saw a home you were interested in buying or you consulted a lender to figure out how much money you could borrow before you found a home (sometimes called pre-qualifying). The next step is to sign an agreement of sale with the seller, followed by applying for a loan to purchase your new home. The final step is called ´´settlement´´ or ´´closing,´´ where the legal title to the property is transferred to you.

At each of these steps you often have the opportunity to negotiate the terms, conditions and costs to your advantage. These pages will highlight such opportunities. You will also need to shop carefully to get the best value for your money. There is no standard home buying process used in all localities. Your actual experience may vary from those described here. These pages takes you through the general steps to buying a home, to eliminate, as much as possible, the mysteries of the settlement process.

Buying and Financing A Home
The real estate broker: frequently, the first person you consult about buying a home is a real estate agent or broker. The most common practice is for the seller to hire the broker to find someone who will be willing to buy the home on terms and conditions that are acceptable to the seller. Therefore, the real estate broker you are dealing with may also represent the seller. However, you can hire your own real estate broker, known as a buyer’s broker, to represent your interests. Also, in Illinois, agents and brokers are allowed to represent both buyer and seller.

Even if the real estate broker represents the seller, state real estate licensing laws usually require that the broker treat you fairly. If you have any questions concerning the behavior of an agent or broker, you should contact your State’s Real Estate Commission or licensing department.

Sometimes, the real estate broker will offer to help you obtain a mortgage loan. He or she may also recommend that you deal with a particular lender, title company, attorney or settlement/closing agent. You are not required to follow the real estate broker’s recommendation. You should compare the costs and services offered by other providers with those recommended by the real estate broker.

Selecting an Attorney
Before you sign an agreement of sale, you might consider asking an attorney to look it over and tell you if it protects your interests. If you have already signed your agreement of sale, you might still consider having an attorney review it. An attorney can also help you prepare for the settlement. In some areas attorneys act as settlement/closing agents or as escrow agents to handle the settlement. An attorney who does this will not solely represent your interests, since, as settlement/closing agent, he or she may also be representing the seller, the lender and others as well.

If choosing an attorney, you should shop around and ask what services will be performed for what fee. Find out whether the attorney is experienced in representing home buyers. You may wish to ask the attorney questions such as:

What is the charge for negotiating the agreement of sale, reviewing documents and giving advice concerning those documents, for being present at the settlement, or for reviewing instructions to the escrow agent or company? Will the attorney represent anyone other than you in the transaction? Will the attorney be paid by anyone other than you in the transaction? Please note, in many areas of the country attorneys are not normally involved in the home sale. For example, escrow agents or escrow companies in western states handle the paperwork to transfer title without any attorney involvement.

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Client Reviews

We had the privilege and blessing to have Rochelle help us purchase our first home! We could not have asked for a better realtor. She was flexible with our hectic schedule, and informative about all the properties. As an agent she respected our price point, needs and wants in our home. Rochelle helped us to understand the home buying process and made what could have been a scary and stressful process
easy and fun! Rochelle always goes above and beyond to help her clients; we would highly recommend Rochelle to help you purchase your next home.

Cody and Savannah Buckner

Rochelle has been a delight to work with on the listing of my multi-million-dollar home. With her past experience she has brought innovative marketing concepts to the table not seen before in the Billings market. She applies those, as well as her keen professionalism, attention to detail, and no excuses attitude to working with her clients. I highly recommend her.

Fran Oakland

Thanks so much for all your patience and enthusiasm in dealing with the purchase of our new home in Billings. It’s not easy to do business as an out-of-state buyer and you were so supportive and made sure that we were fully aware of the steps involved in the transaction. You were definitely in our corner throughout the whole process and we felt that we could rely on you at all times to do exactly what we asked of you. We feel as though you became part of the family! We are looking forward to our move and to seeing you again soon.

K.S

Rochelle guided us through a difficult out of state transaction with enthusiasm and professionalism. She was thorough, kept us informed at all times and we felt she was eager to do exactly what we wanted. She was patient with all the email transactions and was willing to go the extra mile to accomplish our objectives. We felt as though she was part of the family by the time we were done!

S. L

Thank you Rochelle and Nels for superb service! Our previous realtor passed away. I didn’t think anyone could live up to his great service. Rochelle and Nels introduced me to the future through their listing of our home. They got our home on the market in record time to catch an important holiday weekend.I knew from the beginning we made the right choice. Nels drone photos, videos and virtual walk through were absolutely amazing! If I had any concern, Rochelle not only gave great insight but it was clear she had done extensive research, knowing all the community stats, trends and numbers to back up her position. Everything from their website, social media blitz, keeping us informed on interested buyers, signage, small unique touches, interaction with realtors and offers were second to none! We had three offers in little more than a month! We couldn’t have been happier. Thank you Rochelle and Nels!